By Louise Ivers

Mid-Century Modern architecture is rapidly disappearing in Long Beach. Numerous buildings of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s have already been demolished and some stellar examples in the city are soon headed for the wrecker’s ball. Many structures of this era situated in Bixby Knolls and North Long Beach sit on valuable parcels of land that developers are eyeing. Both Atlantic Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard were once lined with Mid-Century Modern restaurants, stores, and offices. A few of these have been restored, but some are unfortunately decaying. Other notable buildings of this period can still be found near the ocean front, in the downtown, in Los Altos and Park Estates, near El Dorado Park, and in the Virginia Country Club area.